Textile machine construction

ABSTRACT

A feeding roller for feeding fibrous sliver in a textile machine has an axial hollow into which an end portion of a driven shaft of the machine extends. A circumferential surface portion of the shaft defines with a corresponding portion bounding the hollow of the roller a circumferentially extending gap which tapers or converges in both circumferential directions. Located in a recess at the widest point of this gap is a cylindrical coupling member which extends into the gap so that, when relative angular displacement of roller and shaft occur, the coupling member will become wedged, in one or the other narrow end of the gap and thus connect the roller and shaft for joint rotation.

United States Patent [191 Kodousek et al.

[ Nov. 13-, 1973 TEXTILE MACHINE CONSTRUCTHON [75] Inventors: Jiri Kodousek; Milos Mladek, both of Usti Nad Orlici, Czechoslovakia [73] Assignee: Elitex Zavody Textilniho Strojirenstvi, Liberec, Czechoslovakia [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 219,428

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 28, 1971 Czechoslovakia 602/71 [52] US. Cl 192/44, 29/115, 57/5895, 57/90, 192/45 [51] Int. Cl. F1611 41/06 [58] Field of Search 192/44,.45, 27, 38; 188/8284; 242/464; 29/100, 115, 117; 57/5895, 90

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,410,818 11/1946 Grant, Jr ..-192/45 109,299 11/1870 Coldwell 192/45 531,612 12/1894 Emery 192/45 2/1890 MacDonald 192/45 2,125,763 8/1938 Anderson 192/44 X 921,234 5/1909 Gormley et al.... 192/45 X 976,735 ll/1910 Harclman 188/8284 1,356,557 10/1920 Potts 192/27 3,380,563 4/1968 Bowers et al.. 192/45 2,060,249 11/1936' Scott 192/27 Primary Examiner-Allan D. Herrmann Att0rneyMichael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A feeding roller for feeding fibrous sliver in a textile machine has an axial hollow into which an end portion of a driven shaft of the machine extends. A circumferential surface portion of the shaft defines with a corresponding portion bounding the hollow of the roller a circumferentially extending gap which tapers or converges in both circumferential directions. Located in a recess at the widest point of this gap is a cylindrical coupling member which extends into the gap so that, when relative angular displacement of roller and shaft occur, the coupling member will become wedged, in oneor the other narrow end of the gap and thus connect the roller and shaft for joint rotation.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 TEXTILE MACHINE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to textile machines, and more particularly to an improved device for feeding fibrous material in textile machines, particularly open-end spinning machines.

In textile machines, especially in open-end spinning machines, it is neceesary to feed fibrous material for conversion into yarn or the like. Usually such fibrous material is fed as fibrous sliver, but in any case, the feeding is usually effected by means of a feeding roller which engages the fibrous material and, in response to rotation of the feeding roller, conveys it to the other parts of the textile machine. The feeding roller is conventionally mounted on a shaft of the textile machine driving system or on a suitably driven shaft in general, and the mounting is usually effected either by means of a threaded connection, a pin connection or a wedge connection. The problem with the prior-art constructions of this type is that substantial disadvantages are encountered during the operation of machines provided with such devices, due to the particular connection which heretofore was used for securing the feed roller to the drive shaft therefor. In particular, mounting and dismounting of the feed roller was only possible after removing the entire spinning unit, that is after shutting down one entire unit of the textile machine which, as is well known, usually comprises a plurality of such units.

The most widely used connection between the feed roller and the shaft therefor is a threaded connection. At first sight this seems to provide the least disadvantages. However, it has been found that for various reasons, including those of design and manufacture, the feed roller must be located at an accessible point of the machine, usually in the front so that it can be properly mounted and dismounted. Usually the feed roller must be provided with means by the aid of which the mounting or dismounting can be facilitated, for instance under discussion, particularly an open-end spinning openings or surface portions for engagement by spanners or other tools. However, textile machines are used in a dusty environment wherein impurities from the fibrous sliver being processed are constantly present in the ambient air, certainly in the air which surrounds the feed roller. The sliver which is fed by the feed roller of course passes about the circumference of the latter, and as a result the impurities in the sliver and yielded to the ambient air, frequently clog the space above the feed roller and adhere to the edges of the openings or surfaces provided for engagement of the spanners or similar tools. Once impurities have thus clogged the space and formed an accumulation, they are eventually entrained by the fibers advancing over and past the feed roller and are finally carried along into the spinning machine, for instance into the spinning system of the same, causing either a marked deterioration of the yarn being spun due to the formation of knots or the like, or resulting in breakage of the yarn which would necessitate shut-down of at least parts of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved feeding arrangement for feeding fibrous material in a textile machine of the type machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an arrangement which not only reduces or eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages but also provides a firm and readily release connection of the feed roller with the drive shaft.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an arrangement in which the manufacture, installation and servicing are greatly facilitated, and in which under certain circumstances, the connection between the feed roller and the shaft can even be released during the machine operation.

In pursuance of these and other objects which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a textile machine, particularly in an open-end spinning machine, in a combination of a feeding roller for feeding fibrous sliver, having an axial hollow provided with a bottom wall, and driven shaft means having a portion located in the hollow and provided with a transverse flange and with limiting surface means. There is further provided coupling means which engages the limiting surface means for releasably coupling the shaft means and the roller for joint rotation, with the axial position of the roller on the shaft means being determined by cooperation of the bottom wall, flange and coupling means.

The particular advantage of the construction according to the present invention is its simplicity, enabling ready mounting and dismounting of the feed roller even during operation of the machine, without requiring special tools for this purpose. The construction is not only simple but it is inexpensive and reliable in operation.

Furthermore, the opposite axial end face of the feed roller from that in which the hollow is formed, that is the end face facing away from the drive shaft, can be smooth and uninterrupted so that it is impossible for impurities or fibers to become accummulated on this surface or to adhere thereto. Evidently this eliminates a substantial source of difficulties heretofore existant in the prior art.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. .The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing the drawing now in detail, it will be seen that in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS.

l 4, a feed roller for fibrous sliver is identified with reference numeral 1. It is to be mounted replaceably on the shaft 2 which is driven in suitable manner and constitutes a part of a textile machine, for instance an open-end spinning machine. The feed roller 1 is to be rotatable with the shaft 2, and an adjustment member or coupling member 3 of cylindrical configuration is provided for effecting such releasable engagement between the feed roller 1 and the shaft 2.

As the drawing shows, and in particular FIG. 1, one axial end face of the feed roller 1 is provided with a cylindrical hollow 4 having a bottom wall 5 and being provided in its inner circumferential wall with a recess 7. The cylindrical member 3 is located in this recess being partly accommodated therein and partly projecting inwardly beyond the surface 6. The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member 3 extends in parallelism with the axis of rotation of the feed roller 1 and thus of the shaft 2 which, as FIG. 1 shows particularly clearly, is in part inserted into the hollow 4.

The end portion of the shaft 2 is the part which is inserted into the hollow 4 as FIG. 1 shows, and this end portion is cylindrical in configuration and merges into an eccentric step 8 terminating at a flange 9 the axial front face or end face 10 of which is adapted to bear against the bottom wall 5 of the hollow 4. Thus, the end face 10, together with the surface 11 of the flange 9, will determine the axial position of feed roller 1 with reference to the shaft 2.

At its point E of maximum eccentricity the flange 9 is relieved, for instance on a line 91 which passes tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the eccentric step 8, to obtain the illustrated clearance. The cylindrical surface of the step 8 in turn constitutes a limiting surface 12 which defines with the inner circumferential surface 6 bounding the hollow 4 a gap tapering in both circumferentialdirections, with the member 3 extending partly into this gap. Thus, the limiting surface 12 together with the cylindrical wall 13 bounding the recess 7 determines the position of the cylindrical member 3 which is assumed by the latter upon relative angular displacement of the shaft 2 and feed roller 1 in either one or the opposite circumferential direction, at which point a firm wedging connection is achieved between the member 3, the roller 1 and the shaft 2.

In particular, this connection is obtained when the feed roller 1 and the shaft 2 are angularly displaced with referenceto one another into one of the two extreme positions that is in one or the other circumferential direction determined by the point at which the limiting surface 12 approaches the wall 13 of the recess 7, whereupon a self-locking connection is achieved at two points 14 with the cylindrical surface of the member 3.

It will be appreciated that the surface 12 need not be cylindrical as illustrated but may also be rounded off or straight in part, and that the important consideration is that the limiting surface 12 constitutes in cooperation with the wall 13 of the recess 7 the aforementioned two self-locking points 14 defining the position of the cylindrical member 3 in the gap between roller 1 and shaft 2 when the two elements are firmly connected with one another by means of the member 3 upon relative angular displacement.

It is clear that the construction according to the present invention is not only very simple but also can be readily engaged and disengaged without requiring any tools at all, engagementor disengagement requiring only relative angular displacement of shaft 2 and feed roller 1 to such an extent that the member 3 either wedgingly engages both of them or becomes disengaged from them.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a textile machine feed arrangement, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint ofprior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a textile machine, particularly an open-end spinning machine, in combination, a feeding roller for feeding fibrous sliver, said feeding roller having an axial hollow provided with a bottom wall; a driven shaft means which is to be removable from said feeding roller, said shaft means having a portion located in said hollow and provided with a transverse flange and with a limiting surface means; and coupling means engaging said, limiting surface means and coupling said shaft means and said roller for joint rotation, the axial position of said roller on said shaft means being determined by cooperation of said bottom wall, flange and coupling means, and said coupling means being disengageable for permitting removal of said shaft means and roller from one another.

2. In a textile machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said limiting surface means is a peripheral limiting surface portion defining with an inner circumferential surface bounding said hollow a clearance which tapers in both circumferential directions, and wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling member located partially in said clearance.

3. In a textile machine as defined in claim 2, said coupling member being cylindrical and having a longitudinal axis which parallels the longitudinal axis of said shaft means.

4. In a textile machine as defined in claim 3, said roller having a recess provided in said inner circumferential surface; and wherein said cylindrical coupling member is located partially in said recess.

5. In a textile machine as defined in claim 2, said shaft means having an eccentric stepped section and said limiting surface portion being a cylindrical circumferential surface of said section.

6. In a textile machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical surface of said section and said inner circumferential surface bounding said hollow define with one another and with said coupling member two self-locking connection at two points which are spaced circumferentially of said clearance.

7. in a textile machine as defined in claim 5, wherein low, and a smooth continuous other axial endface said flange lS eccentric and is relieved at the region of In a textile machine as defined in claim 1 wherein its maximum eccentricity.

8. in a textile machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said roller has one axial endface provided with said hol- 5 said roller is cylindrical. 

1. In a textile machine, particularly an open-end spinning machine, in combination, a feeding roller for feeding fibrous sliver, said feeding roller having an axial hollow provided with a bottom wall; a driven shaft means which is to be removable from said feeding roller, said shaft means having a portion located in said hollow and provided with a transverse flange and with a limiting surface means; and coupling means engaging said, limiting surface means and coupling said shaft means and said roller for joint rotation, the axial position of said roller on said shaft means being determined by cooperation of said bottom wall, flange and coupling means, and said coupling means being disengageable for permitting removal of said shaft means and roller from one another.
 2. In a textile machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said limiting surface means is a peripheral limiting surface portion defining with an inner circumferential surface bounding said hollow a clearance which tapers in both circumferential directions, and wherein said coupling means comprises a coupling member located partially in said clearance.
 3. In a textile machine as defined in claim 2, said coupling member being cylindrical and having a longitudinal axis which parallels the longitudinal axis of said shaft means.
 4. In a textile machine as defined in claim 3, said roller having a recess provided in said inner circumferential surface; and wherein said cylindrical coupling member is located partially in said recess.
 5. In a textile machine as defined in claim 2, said shaft means having an eccentric stepped section and said limiting surface portion being a cylindrical circumferential surface of said section.
 6. In a textile machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical surface of said section and said inner circumferential surface bounding said hollow define with one another and with said coupling member two self-locking connection at two points which are spaced circumferentially of said clearance.
 7. In a textile machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said flange is eccentric and is relieved at the region of its maximum eccentricity.
 8. In a textile machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said roller has one axial endface provided with said hollow, and a smooth continuous other axial endface.
 9. In a textile machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said roller is cylindrical. 